Standing at the front door Dolo reached out and grasped the oak leaf shaped knocker then released it. The perfunctory clang did its job for the door opened slowly, with the chain still engaged. A raspy female voice emanated from the figure lurking in the shadow of the doorway. She said “The white rabbit tells no lies.” Dolo was caught off guard but then he remembered the code he received from the ad he had replied to. He quickly responded, “Too bad the white rabbit is always late.” The door slammed shut then reopened revealing a plump old woman with thick grey hair and glasses that magnified her cloudy eyes. She let out a satisfying squeal and told Dolo how exciting it was to meet new members.

Dolo shook his head with dismay as he entered the house. Apprehension filled him. The Secret Hive, or whatever it was called, may be the wrong kind of club he was looking for. The octogenarian escorted him through the old rickety house to a stairway leading to the basement and gestured for him to go on down.